Trained by Tom Cooper, the eight-year-old unseated his rider in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but finished the season with a valuable win at Fairyhouse before lowering the colours of the likes of Blackstairmountain, First Lieutenant and Menorah in the Ryanair Novice Chase.

With a handicap mark of 148 and some classy chasers around in Ireland, Cooper feels he may struggle to place him when he does return to action.

"He won't be back until the second half of the season," said Cooper.

"He got laid up a couple of weeks ago and it's just set him back.

"It could be tough for him this season as we've got the likes of Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs who are second season chasers."